Synopsis

The anime short Computer Kakumei was aired by the Japanese public broadcaster NHK as part of a TV special. The near-future anime was conceived by Parasite Eve author Hideaki Sena, and it depicts how ubiquitous computers have transformed life's various aspects in 2020 Tokyo. The story is told through the eyes of a high school senior named Mako.

Computer Kakumei: Saikyou x Saisoku no Zunou Tanjou- Wondering what life would be like just a mere 8 years from now.

=====Story=====

The storyline is set in 2020. In this near future, technology has overwhelming become even more a part of our daily lives. Robots have replaced fast food employees, and most things are now automated. Things like test taking also use technology more efficiently so people can improve themselves even faster. Computer Technology has influenced and helped all aspects of life, and it is for the greater good. As we watch we realize that today’s events have also greatly affected what the future is like in the anime. This is just a glimpse of what Computer Kakumei: Saikyou x Saisoku no Zunou Tanjou has to offer.

The premise of the storyline is actually well thought out. It seems a lot more realistic than a lot of anime out now. There is even some reference to events that have occurred recently that just makes it all seem just more believable, especially on how we do not see that many things that are over the top. One thing I did like was how there’s an underlying meaning in that if we as people learn what we can, then technology advances. If this happens it can make a difference in the rest of the world

If Computer Kakumei becomes a full series, I believe that it is going to be a success especially among many of us, particularly those who love computers and technology.

====Art=====

The art was pretty good. It went for a more throwback style in which everything looks hand painted. For the most part this anime’s appearance is like that of an actual piece of artwork from scene to scene. They did a great job on trying to convince us that art was done on a canvas. There are many areas in which white bleeds through the other colors, which gives it a total retro look. The colors themselves look faded, chalky, and like they were stroked on with a brush. I like how they made the pigments look like watercolors with the outlines of characters resembling that of being sketched by a pencil. However, even with these features there’s still a lot of color. Character models and environments look above average given how they did the art. It is very attractive to the eye.

=====Sound=====

I honestly didn’t notice the sound at all. Apart, from the voice actors and sound effects there isn’t much to talk about. There’s no opening song, and no ending song. We do get one or two BGMs and that’s it. It sounded just average, and nothing really spectacular.

=====Characters=====

Characters are also fine. We don’t learn much about them, but are given some sense of a personality from each. The main character Mako is your typical high school senior getting ready to graduate and enter a university. Mako has a laid back personality and is kind of lazy. She’s also pretty optimistic. Mako is in the midst of studying for entrance exams, and just like every other high school senior, she wants to know what her career should be. Something happens from within this 10 minute special (telling you would be a spoiler), and she decides what career she wants to follow. With the rest of the characters there’s not enough information to give us any insight on how the other characters act. Otherwise from the way it looks we do have something solid to build on.

=====Enjoyment=====

I thought that it was a pretty decent hook to get me interested in this anime. I really liked that the future that is present in this anime. It isn’t just unbelievable like many other animes are. The technology they showed in Computer Kakumei is also very believable. One thing they showed was this facial recognition app that showed what your classmates name is. They even showed tablets being even more widely used than they are now, except that they are more advanced. Another thing they showed was an advanced version of Augmented Reality. Pretty much a person can now use it almost anywhere without a camera. Yet, a person still needs some kind of device to interact with it. This is why I find it enjoyable it is not just unbelievable but does have some fun with this future as well.

=====Overall=====

Overall I believe that Computer Kakumei: Saikyou x Saisoku no Zunou Tanjou is going to be a success if/when it does become a full series. The characters seem solid. The premise is very good since we are only looking 8 years into the future, and it is pretty believable. Finally the artwork is different (but great) from what most are used too. I say check it out, and give it a chance. You might also want to see more of it.